Know Everything about Physical Therapy In-Home Care

Old age, diseases, injuries, and surgeries can restrict the functional mobility of individuals. However, with physical therapy, these symptoms can be managed. Physical therapists and assistants evaluate the rate of physical pain and loss of functionality of limbs to ascertain the exercises and stretching required to improve patients' health and well-being.

Hospitalized patients have access to physical therapists from the hospital, and outpatient physical therapy is available for patients who live at home. Physical therapy is provided at home for patients who cannot travel to hospitals for rehab.

What is Physical Therapy in-Home Care?

An individual suffering from pain or immobility can immensely benefit from physical therapy. But what if the patient is unfit to travel long distances to get physical therapy? For example, a patient who has undergone hip or knee replacement surgery can barely move out of bed without assistance, let alone travel to outpatient therapy centers.

It is where physical therapy at home comes into the picture. A physical therapist goes to the patient's house and offers rehabilitation services so that these people can get back to their normal activities. Many patients find it difficult to leave the safety and comfort of their houses to avail themselves of physical therapy. Physical therapy at home allows such patients to enjoy the benefits of physical therapy, such as increased mobility and overall improvement in health.

Benefits of Physical Therapy in-Home Care

Physical therapy at homecare has myriad benefits.

• Physical therapy through exercises and stretching helps patients regain their strength, mobility, and overall functionality.
• Physical therapy at home care allows therapists to pay one-on-one attention to patients. It allows for more effective healing and recovery in the long run.
• Many patients use physical therapy for pain. A broken arm might heal with medication and a splint, but the pain might persist long after the bone heals. Physical therapy through supervised movements and controlled exercises helps with pain management.
• Since physical therapists and their assistants work with patients in their homes, they become aware of the immediate surroundings of such patients. Through thorough observations, these medical professionals become aware of the difficulties these people face in the safety of their own homes. Based on their understanding, they can suggest removing a chair from the way or introducing railings along the corridor for extra support.
• Physical therapists in a home setup also get the opportunity to educate and guide family members and caregivers of the patients so that they are better equipped to handle the needs of the patients.

Who is Eligible for PT in-Home Care?

Physical therapy at home is covered under medical insurance as long as healthcare professionals guarantee that physical therapy at home is non-negotiable for those patients. Insurance covers at-home therapy charges in the following cases:

• Patients who are severely sick and for whom traveling could be fatal.
• People who have limited mobility cannot travel.
• People who do not have access to travel to hospitals, like aged people living alone.

Patients who can travel to hospitals for therapy, yet opt for therapy at home for comfort, will have to bear the charges on their own.

How Effective is PT in-Home Care?

It is a misconception that physical therapy at home is less effective than therapy at hospitals or local therapy centers. This misinformation is based on the fact that we need access to cutting-edge equipment and tools at home. We believe exercising with heavy and expensive instruments is the only way to heal and train our muscles. But we can regain our strength with the right exercises and proper techniques.

Moreover, physical therapists carry light instruments to train patients at home. They are also educated to use available resources for the most effective treatments. Therapists can use the stairs, heavy jars, tables, stools, and other items at home while training patients.

The goal of physical therapy at homecare differs from patient to patient depending on their physical strength, ailments, external support, age, etc. A patient recovering from orthopedic surgery might need special attention from a private physical therapist until they gain strength and mobility to travel.

On the other hand, geriatric patients might need physical therapy at home for as long as they live. For them, the goal will not be to increase mobility over a few weeks but to lead a comfortable and more functional life. Old age cripples’ healthy individuals and makes getting out of bed a daily struggle. Physical therapy improves their quality of life so that they can be independent.

Final Words

While physical therapy is a necessity for many, being able to travel daily for therapy is a privilege. Many circumstances make it difficult to attend therapy at a local center. Home physical therapy, in such cases, can allow a patient to regain full functionality. These improvements in physical health boost morale and confidence and make individuals happy. 

Premier Homecare is a Texas-based home healthcare service provider. They work tirelessly through skilled healthcare providers to heal people with care, compassion, and best-in-class care management services. Contact them for more information.